Bronx,
NY---The eagerly awaited ceremony that honored Mariano Rivera, the greatest
closer and one of the finest men in MLB history, took place on Sunday
afternoon. The event planned by the Vice President of Marketing of the New York
Yankees, Debbie Tymon and her staff was, as expected, moving, inspiring, uplifting and done in the classiest manner.

After
proclamations from Rep. Jose Serrano and Mayor Michael Bloomberg were read by
emcees John Sterling and Michael Kay, the scene shifted to Monument Park in
deep center field.

Attention
was next directed to the infield where several former Yankees associated with
Rivera were introduced. Included were: manager Joe Torre, trainer Gene Monahan,
batterymate Jorge Posada, who caught 368 of Rivera’s saves, David Cone, Jeff
Nelson, John Wetteland, Rivera’s predecessor as closer, Hideki Matsui, Tino
Martinez, Paul O’Neill and Bernie Williams.

A short film
was shown that saluted Rivera’s career on the giant board in center field.
After the film concluded, the former Yankees were joined by the Robinson and
Rivera families.

Suddenly,
the late Bob Shepard was heard announcing the entrance of Rivera. The band
Metallica, on a stage in front of Monument Park was playing Rivera’s entrance
theme, “Enter Sandman” with special lyrics for the occasion. As the music
played, the legendary closer walked from the Yankee bullpen towards the mound.

After he
joined the others, special gifts were presented to the future member of the
Baseball Hall of Fame. The visiting Giants in the persons of four of their
coaches, Joe Lefebvre, Hensley Muelens, Roberto Kelly and Dave Righetti, all former Yankee players,
presented Rivera with a 16X20 watercolor of him pitching in AT&T in San
Francisco in 2007, a guitar specially designed by Kirk Hammett of Metallica and
donation to the Mariano Rivera Foundation.

Metallica
gave to RIvera a touring guitar speaker cabinet.

The NYY Foundation
presented a $100,000 check for Rivera’s foundation.

Derek Jeter
and Joe Girardi brought out a custom-made baseball bat rocking chair in which
Rivera very briefly sat.

Members of
the Steinbrenner family presented Rivera with a replica of his retired number
placard and a Waterford Crystal replica of his 2013 glove.

The ceremony
concluded with words from Rivera, which reflected his genuine humility and
unshakeable religious faith. “I would like to start by thanking my good Lord
because without him this would not be possible.” He next thanked his wife and
sons, “It means a lot when you have your family around you.” He also spoke with
gratitude of “mother and father, my teammates, past and present, the San
Francisco organization, my beautiful country, Panama, you fans, George
Steinbrenner-I love you and I miss you, Jackie Robinson-he has been a hero and
an inspiration to me, and America-23 years since I let my country.”

When asked
by a reporter if his speech was written in advance, he responded, “I didn’t
have anything written, the words were from my heart.”

The admiration in which Rivera is held
throughout the baseball community was demonstrated by the reaction of the
uniformed Giants during the ceremony. More than 30 were standing in front of
their dugout paying rapt attention and applauding often. When the ceremony
ended, many, led by hurler Matt Cain, who was standing closest to the field,
lifted their caps in salute to the honoree.

The humble
man spoke when was asked his reaction to the ceremony, “The whole thing was
special. I didn’t expect anything like that. My emotion was surprise at the
love of the fans [when I walked out from center field].”

Bernie
Williams spoke for many when he described the event, “This organization really
knows how to reward its heroes.”

The last time you will see the #42 worn in a Major League Uniform after this season.

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